(I work at an auto parts store. Just like any retail store, we get plenty of returns a day, and it’s our job to verify that the return is valid and make sure parts are not used. A customer comes in to return a roll of window tint.)

Customer: “Hi, I would like to make this return. I didn’t need it after all.”

Me: “Okay, I’ll be happy to do that.” *starts opening package to make sure everything is there*

Customer: “Oh, don’t worry. I didn’t open it.”

Me: “Sorry, sir, just have to make sure.”

(While checking I noticed that the roll has already been cut and there is less than half left over.)

Me: “Sorry, sir, I won’t be able to do this return. The product has been used.”

Customer: “What do you mean? It’s complete!”

Me:*walk over to the aisle to get new package for comparison* “You see, sir, it’s less than half.”

Customer: “Fine, throw it away! I’m never coming here again. At [Other Main Auto Parts Store], they always return what I buy! Better yet!” *starts ripping apart the roll of tint, trying to cause a scene*

Me: “Here, sir, I have a razor you can use. It will probably be easier to cut it with.”

Customer:*takes razor angrily and cuts the roll* “And here’s your rewards card! I won’t need it since I’m never coming here again!” *starts to try to tear the card apart*

Me: “Here, you can still use the razor!”

(The customer stormed out angrily! Funny thing was, a few months later, he came back to the store to buy something. When he was paying I asked for his rewards card and he said he threw it away because last time some girl didn’t wanna do his return! He said he’s sure she got fired because he hasn’t seen her since! I guess he didn’t recognize me.)

(I work in a retail chain selling car parts and accessories. We are often asked by customers to look up parts for their vehicle. The most accurate way to search is using the car’s registration number. One day a customer marches up to me and, without first politely asking for my attention or assistance, he barks his order at me.)

Customer: “I want brake pads for my car.”

Me:*politely* “Sure, can I take your registration number, please?”

Customer: *getting instantly high rate* “Why should I tell you that? I’m not giving you my registration number.”

Me: “It’s the most accurate way of finding out what parts you need. If you’d rather not give me the registration that’s fine I can do a manual search. What car is it?”

Customer: “I’m not telling you what car I have!”

Me: “How am I supposed to tell you what parts you need without telling me what car you have?”

Customer: “You should just know.”

Me: “Sir, with the kindest of respects there are thousands of different vehicles on the road with literally hundreds of thousands of parts available. Even a fully qualified mechanic would first need to look up what parts are required for a particular vehicle and we’re not mechanics here; we just work in a shop. Besides it would be impossible for anybody to tell you what parts are required without first knowing what car it is!”